System and method for automatic sensitivity adjustment of an acoustic detector

Abstract

A method and system for automatically adjusting a sensitivity of an acoustic detector. The method comprises receiving an acoustic signal from a remote device, detecting the unique pattern embedded therein, changing a mode of operation based upon the detection, measuring a voltage created by the reception of the acoustic signal and adjusting the sensitivity of the acoustic detector based upon a measured voltage. The acoustic signal contains a unique pattern indicative of the remote device.

1. A method of automatically adjusting a sensitivity of an acoustic detector comprising:
 a. receiving an acoustic signal from a remote device, said acoustic signal containing a unique pattern indicative of the remote device; 
 b. detecting the unique pattern; 
 c. changing a mode of operation after detection; 
 d. measuring at least one of a peak voltage value or an average voltage value within a predetermined period of time created by the reception of said acoustic signal; 
 e. comparing at least one of the measured peak voltage value or the measured average voltage value with a stored peak voltage value or a stored average voltage value; and 
 f. adjusting the sensitivity of the acoustic detector based upon the comparison of the measured peak voltage value or the measured average voltage value with the stored peak voltage value or the stored average voltage value. 
 
     
     
       2. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of confirming the sensitivity adjustment. 
     
     
       3. The method according to  claim 2 , wherein the step of confirming includes receiving a confirmation signal from the remote device. 
     
     
       4. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (c) includes a sub-step of setting the acoustic detector in a test mode if a unique pattern detected corresponds to a stored pattern. 
     
     
       5. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (b) includes matching the unique pattern with a stored pattern. 
     
     
       6. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein step (d) includes the sub-steps of converting said acoustic signal into a digital signal; and
 measuring at least one of the peak voltage value or the average voltage value of the digital signal. 
 
     
     
       7. The method according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined period of time is sufficiently short to render any unwanted reflections negligible. 
     
     
       8. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: matching said measured peak voltage value with one of a plurality of stored peak voltage threshold ranges, one stored peak voltage threshold range is associated with each sensitivity level and wherein step (f) includes setting the sensitivity to a sensitivity level that corresponds with the matched peak voltage threshold range. 
     
     
       9. The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising the step of: matching said measured average voltage value with one of a plurality of stored average voltage threshold ranges, one stored average voltage threshold range is associated with each sensitivity level and wherein step (f) includes setting the sensitivity to a sensitivity level that corresponds with the matched average voltage threshold range. 
     
     
       10. A system for adjusting a sensitivity of an acoustic detector comprising:
 a calibration device adapted for transmitting an acoustic calibration signal to an acoustic detector in response to user input, said acoustic calibration signal including an unique signature indicative of said calibration device; and 
 an acoustic detector adapted for receiving the acoustic calibration signal from the calibration device, detecting the unique signature, measuring at least one of a peak voltage value or an average voltage value within a predetermined period of time created by the reception of said acoustic calibration signal if the unique signature is detected; comparing at least one of the measured peak voltage value or the measured average voltage value with a peak voltage value or an average voltage value stored in the detector, and adjusting a sensitivity of the acoustic detector based upon the comparison of the measured peak voltage value or the measured average voltage value with the stored peak voltage value or the stored average voltage value.